[Development of Escherichia diagnostic O-test systems]

The principles of the rational development of new diagnostic preparations, Escherichia agglutinating O-test systems consisting of polyvalent reagents (reapols), were worked out, and two O-test systems, "small" and "large", were made up on the basis of these reagents (for the identification of 22 and 151 Escherichia serovars, respectively). The agglutinogenicity of Escherichia O-antigens was studied and found to be poorly pronounced in 40% of cases. The practical scheme for the identification of Escherichia O-antigens (key to the O-test system) has been made; the scheme permitted the determination of 84.8% of Escherichia O-test strains, only 29.1% of the strains showing due positive reactions. Ways for improving these preparations are presented.